DR CAM CALDER National Party List MP

Local MP Dr Cam Calder has welcomed news that the number of children participating in early childhood education is continuing to increase.

Data from 2012 shows in Manurewa 85% per cent of children who started school during 2012 had participated in early childhood education (ECE).

“We know from research that ECE is vital to a child’s development, and their future ability to learn,” Dr Calder said.

“That’s why National has set a target that in 2016, 98 per cent of children starting school will have participated in quality early childhood education.

“We want all children to get the best possible start to their education, and early childhood education helps children become confident, ready to engage, and eager to learn.

“We are investing $1.4 billion in ECE, which includes 20 hours ECE funding for all families. In the last Budget we invested an additional $48 million in equity funding which supports priority learners, vulnerable children, and communities who would otherwise find it more difficult to access ECE.

“New Zealand’s annual expenditure per child in ECE is the second-highest in the OECD and this Government is committed to continuing that investment in our future,” Dr Calder said.

The investment is paying off with provisional figures for the first three months of this year showing a further increase in ECE participation rates, particularly for Māori and Pacific Island children, up 1.4 per cent and nearly 2 per cent respectively since this time last year.

The provisional data for the first quarter of 2013 shows about 95.5 per cent of all children starting school had participated in early childhood education. That’s up from 94.7 per cent at the same time last year.

“Making sure every child gets a good education is the most important thing our Government can do to raise living standards, and create a more competitive and productive economy.’’

“Counties Manukau annual crime statistics show recorded crime has dropped by 11 per cent in the past calendar year,” Dr Cam Calder says.

“And nationally, recorded crime is down 7.4 per cent. This is the third consecutive year crime has fallen.

“These results are great news for our communities here, and around New Zealand. They reflect the hard work of our local police, as well as National’s commitment to tackle crime and make our families safer in their homes and communities.

“In the Counties-Manukau Police district Public Order Offences is down 20.6 per cent and Theft and Related Offences have fallen 15.6 per cent. This is fantastic news.

“The 70 per cent increase in Police foot patrols, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, the Prevention First Strategy, and the 600 additional frontline officers delivered by this Government are all contributing to our falling crime rate.”

Dr Calder said the introduction of smartphones and tablets this month will save more than half a million hours of Police time. 

“This time is being reinvested in frontline crime prevention, keeping Kiwis safer.  National will continue to ensure our front-line Police are able to spend more time on the streets preventing crime, and building safer communities.

“We are well on our way to reaching our Better Public Services targets of an overall reduction in recorded crime by 15 per cent, violent crime by 20 per cent, and youth crime by 5 per cent by 2017.  This will mean 45,000 fewer crimes in our communities every year from 2017,” Dr Calder said.

 
Local List MP Dr Cam Calder has selected Teri Tu’uau of James Cook High School, Manurewa as his representative at Youth Parliament 2013.
 
“I was impressed by the high quality of applications I received and overwhelmed by how passionate young people are to represent their community at Youth Parliament 2013” says Dr Calder.
 
121 Youth MPs, from across the country, will come to Parliament on 16 and 17 July 2013, where they will learn about the government decision-making process and share the views of youth with the country’s decision makers.  They will have the unique opportunity to step into the shoes of an MP for two days while they debate legislation, sit on select committees and ask oral questions of Cabinet Ministers.
 
As well as representing him at Youth Parliament in July, Teri Tu’uau will hold the title of Youth MP from 1 May to 31 December 2013.  During this time, she will actively engage with the community to gain an understanding of the ideas and concerns of youth in the area.
 
The Youth Parliament 2013 mock Bill will focus on electoral reform.  Youth MPs will debate the merits of reducing the voting age from 18 to 17 years, electronic voting, compulsory voting and extending the Term of Parliament from three to four years.  There are also ten select committees of inquiry with topics ranging from cage free farming to youth employment.
 
Youth Parliament 2013 is also an opportunity for all young people to have their voice heard in Parliament.  Young people can contact the Ministry of Youth Development at beheard@youthparliament.govt.nz to find out how they can share their views on select committee topics. 
 
Youth Parliament is organised by the Ministry of Youth Development in collaboration with the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Office of the Clerk, the Parliamentary Service and New Zealand’s 121 Members of Parliament.

MP’s, Dr Cam Calder and Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi welcome the news that in the Auckland region 93% of children are now attending early childhood education (ECE) services. 

Ministry of Education figures show enrolments in ECE increased nationally by 2,400 between 2011 and 2012. 

“ECE plays a valuable role in a child’s development and is one of the greatest investments we can make in the future of our children.”

“It provides the opportunity for any child from any background to get ahead and make the most of their lives.”

Government funding for ECE subsidies has more than doubled from $617 million in 2006/07 to over $1.3 billion this year.

“One of National’s priorities this term is delivering better public services, and we have set a target of 98 per cent of children starting school will have participated in quality ECE in 2016.

“National are making great progress on this target but we can do better.

“We have been focussing on communities where large numbers of children don’t attend ECE.  This Government is spending $91.8 million over four years to boost participation among Māori, Pasifika, and children from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

“In the year to June 2012, 95 per cent of children starting school had participated in ECE – up 0.3 per cent from the previous year.  And the rate for Māori and Pasifika young ones was higher. 

“We know what we’re doing is working, and we’re not done yet.”

Dr Cam Calder MP is delighted with the news that frontline Police will soon start using smart phones and tablets that will free up 72,888 Police hours of time in Counties-Manukau Police District every year.

“One of our priorities this term is delivering better public services.  And making sure our Police have the tools they need to spend more time on crime prevention, and less time on paperwork, is vital to achieving this,” Dr Calder said.

“Across New Zealand this means over half a million more police hours every year.”
From April, smartphones and tablets will be introduced across the country, with 6,500 frontline officers being issued a smartphone by mid-2014, and 3,900 staff receiving tablets.

“This technology means Police will be able to access, input and share vital information immediately, like offender details, without having to go back to their station or use the Police radio.

“We want our Police to be as efficient as possible, and to have maximum time in their communities to prevent crime, catch criminals, and protect New Zealanders.

“New Zealanders deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities, and National is committed to building a safer New Zealand,” Dr Calder said.